With the term varicose veins, we describe superficial, small, expanded skin capillaries that are visible to the naked eye. Their diameter is from 0.1 to 1mm, and are either stretched venules or arterioles, with red, blue, or purple color.
Description
Depending on their appearance, they are characterized as diffuse, linear (simple), spider (or asteroid or arboriform), spotted, and papular varicose veins. Varicose veins are actually pathological veins, the valves of which have been damaged. Their stretching is caused because the blood flows in a direction that is different to the normal, and with a bigger volume. They occur more frequently in females
Causes
The occurrence of varicose veins is due to many factors
In the lower limbs, varicose veins can result from venous insufficiency (varices, phlebitis), and there are cases that are combined with the presence of varices.
Other factors for their occurrence can be genetic predisposition, systemic use of corticosteroids, hormonal changes that are noticed during adolescence, pregnancy, menopause, or taking estrogen treatment, or even a mechanical injury. An aggravating role is played by prolonged standing or sitting, excess weight, lack of physical exercise, as well as certain training exercises or massage techniques.
What we should know
- The use of sunscreen is necessary to protect the skin from the harmful effect of the sun.
• Regular exercise is required to strengthen the legs and boost blood circulation, while standing and sitting for long hours should be avoided.
• To avoid more pressure on the legs, weight should be watched, and very narrow clothes and high heels should be avoided.
• It is recommended to avoid any massage creams that cause hyperaemia, and also avoid wax hair removal, since they exacerbate the problem.
Treatment
For the treatment of varicose veins, three types of methods are followed:
- A large number of advanced Lasers that operate on the basis of selective photothermolysis, and ensure their effective treatment. They are light sources that eliminate both fine, spider veins, and more resistant varicose veins, which are deeper and wider, and have thicker walls (not indicated for the summer).
• Sclerotherapy is an older method, and is the most effective for larger varicose veins and netlike veins. With the help of a very fine syringe, a special drug (sclerotic) is injected, which causes fibrosis to the vein, and in this way, it disappears (not indicated for the summer).
• In thermopexy, a high-frequency current is used to cause fibrosis to the veins (effective mostly on small varicose veins). This method can be used in the summer, as well.
